| DATE |
NEWS |
| 29/03/06 |
Western Isles:
Lochnevis's call to Muck has been cancelled today due to
adverse weather. |
| |
|
| 28/03/06 |
Western Isles:
Hebridean Isles was late arriving into Port Ellen this
evening due to adverse weather conditions.
|
Clyde:
Strike action did take place today and the following
services were affected:
Gourock - Dunoon (Dunoon Pier Staff on Strike)
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay (Rothesay Pier Staff on Strike)
Ships Affected:
Juno, Bute (Tied up at Rothesay)
Saturn (Tied up
at Gourock)
As a result no services could take place on either routes all day. The
action was out of CalMac's control. |
Saturn Strike Bound Today |
| |
|
| 27/03/06 |
Clyde:
Due to Local Authority Industrial
Action, CalMac has been advised by Argyll and Bute Council that,
if the proposed industrial action takes place from midnight tonight
until midnight on Tuesday, Dunoon and Rothesay piers will be affected.
Should the industrial action proceed, therefore, CalMac will be unable
to provide a service on the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay and Gourock
- Dunoon services. All other services will be unaffected.
(check external link above for updates)
Western Isles:
Coruisk arrived at Port Askaig at around 1830 this
evening on her way back up to Mallaig in time for the summer season.
She arrived for an overnight berth and will depart at around 0800
tomorrow morning. |
Coruisk lying overnight at Islay |
| |
|
| 26/03/06 |
Clyde:
Coruisk is due to arrive at Port Askaig at 1600 tomorrow after
which she will head up to Mallaig on Tuesday.
NorthLink:
There are delays affecting
Aberdeen arrivals. Due to
adverse weather and tidal conditions at Aberdeen harbour entrance the
scheduled arrival of Hjaltland has been delayed until approx
0945. Hjaltland was scheduled to depart at 1700 sailing to
Hatston and Lerwick. However the sailing today has been cancelled due
to adverse weather conditions |
| |
|
| 25/03/06 |
Western Isles:
It is reported that Isle of Lewis was delayed by two hours
on her first departure of the day from Stornoway. This was due to
problems with one of her bow thrust units encountered during the
night.NorthLink:
Hrossey departed
Hatston on rostered time and is scheduled to arrive in Aberdeen at
07:00. However, due to adverse weather and tidal conditions at
Aberdeen, arrival time may be delayed. Update: Hrossey
was unable to berth at Aberdeen due to adverse weather so she continued
south to Roysth (North of Edinburgh). A easterly at Aberdeen combined
with a low tide would have made it impossible to enter the channel. The
entrance channel to Aberdeen is on 5.9 metres at MLWS which is even
less than Stromness.
For the same reason the sailing scheduled to depart from Kirkwall
(Hatston) to Lerwick tonight has been cancelled. |
| |
|
| 24/03/06 |
Clyde:
On our arrival at Ardrossan on the 1350 from Brodick, Caledonian
Isles berthed at the old Ireland linkspan. The change of berths
must have been last minute as the PA announcement for foot passengers
was to disembark through the normal channels, it then changed to
announce disembarkation via the car deck.Bute is back running
the Rothesay - Wemyss bay service whilst Coruisk has sailed down
the Clyde to JWD to undertake a few minor adjustments before heading
back up to her Summer roster on the Mallaig - Armadale crossing. |
| |
|
| 23/03/06 |
Western Isles:
Isle of Arran arrived in Stornoway this morning just before 1100
this morning. She will berth there to relieve the Muirneag
allowing the freight ship to go for her annual overhaul. |
| |
|
| 22/03/06 |
Hebrides left Liverpool today at c1500, she
is due at Uig on Thursday c1500 to change with Clansman.
Western Isles:
Loch Ranza took up the Tayinloan - Gigha service yesterday,
relieving Loch Riddon to sail to Campbeltown. Loch Riddon
sailed from Campbeltown to Lochranza to relive the Loch Tarbert.
Loch Tarbert is to stay in Lochranza until taking up the summer
timetable. Loch Riddon is now on Tarbert - Portavadie / Tarbert
- Lochranza service.
the maintenance of Port Ellen Pier is well under way. They have
completed a raised walk way down to the ferry for passengers and fitted
a ramp on instead of a step. The work is due to be completed by the 1st
of April 2006.
Clyde:
Bute exited the James Watt Dock today after completing her first annual
overhaul. During her overhaul her aft mast has been significantly
extended to almost match the height of her forward one.
NorthLink:
NorthLink
Slumps into Red Despite £21m Subsidy (external link) |
Loch Bhrusda in JWD Today
Bute in JWD Today |
| |
|
| 20/03/06 |
Western Isles:
Isle of Mull berthed at the Railway pier this evening to allow
Lord of the Isles to occupy the Linkspan for a early departure to
Coll & Tiree tomorrow morning. Lord of the Isles returned
from a 1600 sailing ex Oban to Craignure at 1730.
Past Fleet:
Ex CalMac vessel Maid of Cumbrae is confirmed to have arrived
for scrapping at Aliaga on the 13/03/06 |
MoC Arrived for Scrapping |
| |
|
| 19/03/06 |
Western
Isles:
As per yesterdays note. The Port Ellen sailing is
diverted to Port Askaig.
Loch Portain is now back in service on the Sound of Harris roster
after completing her annual overhaul.
Clyde:
Loch Ranza is now berthed at Fairlie pier after completing repairs
to one of her Voith Units.
Loch Bhrusda was sighted passing the Cumbrae's this
afternoon on her way to Largs. She later entered JWD for gearbox
repairs. |
Loch Bhrusda Passing Cumbrae |
| |
|
| 18/03/06 |
Western
Isles:
Terminals:
Due to essential pier maintenance at Port Ellen, the 1800
sailing tomorrow will be diverting to Port Askaig in favour of Port
Ellen. This in effect will mean that the 0415 sailing on Monday 20th
March will leave from Port Askaig not Port Ellen. |
| |
|
| 16/03/06 |
Clyde:
Isle of Cumbrae was noted passing Cloch Point around 1530 this
afternoon, possibly heading for Roseneath. She was later confirmed
berthed at the wires in Gourock. |
| |
|
| 15/03/06 |
Western Isles:
Isle of Cumbrae is due to leave Oban this morning bound for the
Clyde. At present, destination unknown.
Hebridean Isles was diverted to Port Askaig this evening rather
than Port Ellen on Islay.
Terminals:
The passenger gangway at Port Ellen is undergoing maintenance
today, passengers are required to use the stern ramp of the ferry to
board / alight.
Clyde:
Loch Portain was sighted heading out past Millport at 0730 this
morning bound for the Western Isles. |
Loch Portain This Morning |
| |
|
| 14/03/06 |
Western Isles
/ Clyde:
All routes appear to be back to normal today after the adverse weather
over the past few days.
|
Hebridean Isles did an extra sailing this evening due to the
amount of cars and commercials built up during the adverse weather
recently. She departed Kennacraig at 1800 and arrived in at Port Askaig
at 2010.
Bute entered dry-dock today with Western Ferries Sound of
Sanday.
Past Fleet:
It is reported that the ex Clyde Passenger / Car ferry Maid of
Cumbrae (renamed Capri Express) has been towed for
scrapping after over 50 years afloat. However, on the 12/03/06 while
under tow of the tug Saint James from Naples to Aliaga, the
vessel she was in tandem with, the Salvatore Lauro sank 10nm SW
of Gerolimenas Bay, Peloponnese. There were no injuries or pollution
reported.
|
Maid of Cumbrae in Happier Days |
NorthLink:
After the adverse weather over the past few days and the dry-dock
timetable in effect, the Northern Isles routes are getting back to
normal. There is however a timetable amendment
for Aberdeen departures. Hjaltland
is scheduled for departure today at 23:45 sailing for Lerwick |
| |
|
| 13/03/06 |
Continuing with the disruptions today due to adverse weather on the
West Coast and Northern Isles...
Western Isles:
Tobermory - Kilchoan: Currently
suspended.
Berneray - Leverburgh: All
Sailings cancelled today.
Tayinloan - Gigha: Suspended indefinitely.
Fionnphort - Iona: Currently suspended.
Ardmhor - Eriskay: All
Sailings cancelled today.
Lochboisdale - Oban: 0730 to
Oban via Castlebay has been delayed. Situation will be reviewed at 1200
today.
Mallaig - Small Isles: Weather permitting the timetable for
today will be as follows - Mallaig - Rum - Eigg - Muck - Mallaig, with
a view of there being an improvement in the weather throughout the day.
Uig - Tarbert - Lochmaddy: The 1600 scheduled sailing Tarbert -
Uig cancelled. Weather permitting it is hoped to do the following: 1730
Uig - Tarbert (scheduled 1400 Uig - Tarbert & Scheduled 1800 Uig -
Lochmaddy) 1930 Tarbert - Lochmaddy. Weather permitting Clansman
will pick up 0730 from Lochmaddy tomorrow as per timetable.
Port Askaig - Kennacraig: The 0415 sailing from Port Askaig has
been cancelled, this in effect means that the 0700 sailing from
Kennacraig has also been cancelled. Situation to be reviewed at 0900
with a view to sailing as per timetable at 0945 from Port Askaig rather
than Port Ellen as per timetable. Update: The 1300 sailing to
Port Askaig and the 1530 return sailing have been cancelled.
(check external link above for updates)
Isle of Mull departed Oban as per timetable for Colonsay at
1200. She arrived back in time for her Craignure tip and was back in
Oban for 1745.
Clyde:
Tarbert - Lochranza:
the sailing between Tarbert -
Lochranza and return from Lochranza have been cancelled.
Loch Portain was sighted undergoing trials on the Clyde around
1245 today after completing her annual overhaul.
Company News:
Gaelic Festival Secures Caledonian MacBrayne Support (external
link)
NorthLink:
As per yesterday due to adverse
weather and tidal conditions the 0630 sailing from Stromness -
Scrabster and the 0845 sailing from Scrabster today have been
cancelled. The 1100 sailing from Stromness - Scrabster and the 1315
sailing from Scrabster - Stromness will operate as normal. The 1645
sailing from Stromness to Scrabster will now depart at 16:00 and the
19:00 departure from Scrabster will operate as normal. Update:
Hamnavoe departed Scrabster at 13:15 to arrive in Stromness at
14:45.
Also due to severe weather conditions in Aberdeen, the 1900 sailing
from Lerwick - Aberdeen on today has been cancelled.
(check external link above for updates) |
| |
|
| 12/03/06 |
There are several disruptions this morning due to the heavy snow falls
that are continuing to sweep the west coast...
Western Isles:
Lochmaddy - Uig: The 1200
sailing ex Lochmaddy and the 1400 ex Uig, have been cancelled.
Tayinloan - Gigha: Service has
been cancelled meantime.
Ardmhor - Eriskay: The 0930
sailing ex Ardmhor and the return 1030 ex Eriskay have been cancelled.
The last return sailing on this route for today is also in doubt ie
1500 ex Ardmhor and 1600 ex Eriskay. Update: Both have now been
cancelled therefore no sailings were carried out today.
Kennacraig - Port Ellen: The 1800 sailing this evening from
Kennacraig will be diverting to Port Askaig . The 0415 on Monday
morning will depart from Port Askaig not Port Ellen.
(check external link above for updates)
|
Juno Dep Wemyss Bay this Morning |
Clyde:
Tarbert - Portavadie: Service
has been cancelled meantime. Update: No further sailings today.
Tarbert - Lochranza: The 1215 departure from Tarbert to
Lochranza has been cancelled.
Intending passengers for Rhubodach - Colintraive are advised to
travel as soon as possible today as the service will cease on approach
of darkness due to no mains power. Service will resume tomorrow, Monday
13th March at Daylight. Scottish Power have advised power should be
restored at 11:00 AM tomorrow 13th March.
(check external link above for updates)
Juno and Coruisk swapped rosters this morning on the
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay sailings.
Due to mechanical problems with Saturn the 1720 sailing from
Gourock and the 1750 from Dunoon were cancelled.
NorthLink:
There are amended sailings on the
Pentland Firth (Scrabster - Stromness) route.
Hamnavoe departed Stromness at 0900 to arrive in Scrabster
at 1030 this morning. The next sailing is scheduled to depart Scrabster
at 1200 to arrive in Stromness at 1330. Due to adverse weather and
tidal conditions the 1645 sailing has been amended to sail at 1500 with
an estimated time of arrival in Scrabster 1630. The 1900 sailing from
Scrabster will now depart Scrabster at 1800 to arrive in Stromness at
1930. The 0630 sailing From Stromness to Scrabster on Monday the 13
March 2006 is cancelled as is the 0845 sailing from Scrabster to
Stromness. The 1100 sailing from Stromness to Scrabster is under
review.
Cancellations due to adverse weather today:
Lerwick departures: due to
severe weather conditions in Aberdeen. The 1900 sailing from Lerwick to
Aberdeen on Monday 12th March has been cancelled. The next scheduled
sailing is due to leave Lerwick at 1730 on Wednesday 15th March sailing
for Kirkwall (Hatston) and Aberdeen.
Kirkwall (Hatston) Departures:
The 23:45 sailing from Hatston to Lerwick has been cancelled. The
next scheduled sailing is due to leave Hatston on Wednesday 15th at
23:45 sailing for Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Departures: The
17:00 sailing from Aberdeen to Hatston and Lerwick has been cancelled.
The next scheduled sailing is due to leave Aberdeen at 19:00 on Tuesday
14th March sailing for Lerwick.
(check external link above for updates)
Hrossey arrived in Lerwick at 0730 this morning and departed at
0830 sailing for Drydock and her annual overhaul. |
| |
|
| 10/03/06 |
Clyde:
At 0920 this morning Saturn relieved Juno on the
Gourock - Dunoon route. Juno promptly headed down river
to release Bute from the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay roster.
Bute then headed to Gourock and awaited Saturn to depart
from HQ with the 1220 to Dunoon. After
exchanging blasts Saturn made her way past Bute and
onwards to Dunoon. Bute then began
her berthing procedure at Gourock which included her opening her bow
visor to load a forklift truck with various parts on it's forks
including what looked like hydraulic cylinders. SPT vessel
Kenilworth was patiently canting in the bay waiting for Bute
to move off and away to JWD for her annual overhaul, her first for
herself and the company. |
Saturn and Bute Today |
| |
|
| 09/03/06 |
Isle of Arran arrived at Aberdeen fro Dry Docking today. She
sailed from Tobermory to the east cast port for her annual overhaul.
CalMac Company News:
Today
CalMac was named as preferred bidder for Northern Isles ferry
contract that NorthLink currently
provide. More Information in our
Special News Feature.
NorthLink:
An emergency fire and evacuation exercise is to take place on Hjaltland at Aberdeen Harbour on Friday
10/03/06. The exercise will involve a simulated engine room fire.
More From NorthLink
Here. (external link) |
| |
|
| 08/03/06 |
Clyde:
Juno will be going to Rothesay on Friday to start her Summer
roster. She is currently getting her gangway platform put on to allow
her to link up with the new linkspans fitted for the Bute &
Coruisk. |
| |
|
| 07/03/06 |
Clyde:
Bute and Coruisk appear to be back on there normal rosters
on the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay route this morning after Bute's
breakdown on Sunday. |
| |
|
| 06/03/06 |
Clyde:
As a result of Bute's breakdown yesterday she and Coruisk
were on the 'wrong' rosters today on the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay
route. |
| |
|
| 05/03/06 |
Hebrides has arrived on the Mersey and has entered the wet basin
of the Birkenhead Ship Repair Company on the afternoon tide.
Western Isles:
Lord of the Isles was involved in a rescue of a fishing boat
grounded in the entrance to Castlebay this evening. The Barra lifeboat
requested she stood-by to assist if necessary, however she was not
required and berthed at the linkspan later.
Clyde:
Loch Portain is currently dry-docked and well underway with her
annual overhaul in Garvel Dry Dock.
Bute broke down on the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay route at
1630. Coruisk abandoned her own roster and took over that of the
Bute so that the last timetabled sailings in both directions
could be maintained. Also, as of the news yesterday, the regulations on
Bute (passengers staying in vehicles while on passage) are also
being applied on Coruisk. |
Loch Portain Today |
| |
|
| 03/03/06 |
Western Isles:
Clansman was spotted heading out past Greenock this lunchtime,
having had her brief overhaul completed. She left Gourock at 1515
bound for Lochmaddy where she is next due to relieve the Hebrides
on her routes in the Western Isles.
Update: Hebrides was spotted passing Port Askaig at
2015 heading south for her overhaul.
Clyde:
Loch Portain
made her way up from Fairlie and entered Garvel Dry Dock for the
start of her annual overhaul. Loch Tarbert was delayed on her Tarbert - Lochranza return
sailing and as a result the 1515 from Tarbert to Portavadie and
return were cancelled. The timetable resumed with the 1615 from Tarbert.
CalMac Press Realise:
Ferry
operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that the Red Funnel Group
has been successful in tendering for the provision of peak time
passenger only services on the Gourock - Dunoon service. The
service is currently provided by Red Funnel’s Alicat. The
extension of their existing contract will begin on
April 3,
2006
and run for 12 months. CalMac has confirmed that six companies
expressed an interest in providing the passenger only aspect of the
route at key times. Three of the six companies did not pursue their
interests and an invitation to tender was issued to three companies:
Red Funnel, Western Ferries and Clyde Marine Services Ltd on January
17. Technical and commercial factors were taken into account into the
assessment of the bids finally submitted, including factors such as
price, company background and financial viability; operator experience,
vessel suitability and availability, crewing arrangements and
acceptance of contract terms. CalMac’s Operations Director Phil Preston
said: “The tender received from Red Funnel best met the requirements
for the service and is accepted on operational grounds. MV Alicat has
proven to be reliable on this service and can meet the timetable as
required. The contract will be let for 12 months and is renewable
thereafter by agreement. The contract also allows for termination in
the event that CalMac ceases to operate the Gourock to Dunoon service.”
CalMac Passenger Information:
Wemyss Bay-Rothesay
It is a legal requirement that passengers must vacate their
vehicles whilst on passage on Bute. It is a marine safety
requirement on a vessel of this size on this crossing (ie it is not
optional). Only passengers with a special dispensation such as
ambulance bound patients, with the approval of the crew, can stay in
vehicles. Recently this has become a problem to the extent that the
integrity of the service is being compromised. Some customers are not
willing to take the crew’s advice on this matter and have, on occasion,
refused to vacate their vehicles. In these circumstances Masters have
the authority to return to the port of departure when a customer
refuses to vacate their vehicle when requested. Caledonian MacBrayne
has made strenuous efforts to reduce the impact of this restriction
and, with approval from the Marine and Coastguard Agency has managed to
achieve certain relaxations. Abuse of these arrangements could result
in the regulations being more rigidly enforced by the Marine and
Coastguard Agency. Please also be advised, where customers refuse to
co-operate with the crew or obstruct crew members in the course of
their duty, the company will have no option but to involve the police.
This action will also apply to any passenger who is smoking on the car
deck or displays inappropriate behaviour, including having consumed
excess alcohol. |
| |
|
| 02/03/06 |
Clyde:
Loch Ranza was reported to be on her way back to Gigha yesterday when an
oil leak was spotted coming from her newly refitted Voith unit. She
immediately made back for the Clyde and the Timbercraft yard at
Shandon in the Gairloch for further repairs as the slips at
Ardmaleish were occupied. Loch Riddon and Loch Tarbert continue on
relief duties at Gigha and Loch Fyne respectively.
Loch Portain arrived on the Clyde from the Sound of Harris
and berthed at Fairlie until it becomes her turn to take her place
in the Garvel Dry Dock. Loch Bhrusda is currently keeping the
Sound of Harris route open. |
Loch Ranza making for Shandon for further
repairs |
| |
|
| 01/03/06 |
Western Isles:
Loch Portain was spotted
passing through the Sound of Iona at around 1700 this evening, bound
for an overnight berth at Islay.
Due to tidal restrictions over the past two days on the Sound of Harris (Leverburgh -
Berneray) roster, the 1110ex
Berneray + 1220ex Leverburgh have been cancelled. There will be extra sailings today at
0945ex Berneray + 1050ex Leverburgh.
Advanced notice of changes on the
Sound of Barra (Ardmhor - Eriskay) roster:
Again due to tidal restrictions the following changes will take place
on Thursday 02/03/06:
Dep Ardmhor 1115 (Instead of 1230)
Dep Eriskay 1230 (Instead of 1410)
Clyde:
Clansman left Garvel Dry-dock (if only for a split
second) at roughly 13:45 today and did a 180 degree spin to go stern-in
at James Watt Dock.
NorthLink:
There are cancellations due to
adverse weather and tidal conditions
affecting the Pentland Firth
Route this morning. Hamnavoe
departed Stromness at 0915 to arrive in Scrabster at 1045. The
next scheduled sailing is expected to depart Scrabster at 1115 to
arrive in Stromness at 1300.
Also due to the adverse weather
there are delays affecting Lerwick Arrivals. As a result the
Hjaltland is
due to arrive in Lerwick at 1330 and depart at 1730 sailing direct to
Aberdeen.
(check external link above for updates)
Update:
Hamnavoe departed Stromness at 1645 to arrive in Scrabster
at 1815. The next sailing is scheduled to depart Scrabster at 1900 to
arrive in Stromness at 2030 this eveing.
Hjaltland arrived in Lerwick at 1330 and departed at 1720
sailing for Kirkwall (Hatston) and Aberdeen. Her expected time of
arrival in Kirkwall (Hatston) is 2300 this evening with a expected time
of arrival in Aberdeen is 07:00 tomorrow morning. |
| |
|
Past News Logs: |
| Click
HERE to see the past fleet news logs |
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